Neda Ibrahim, the young Palestinian refugee who was deported with her family to Jordan after 10 years in Norway, says she and her family were “shocked” that a court in Oslo has upheld their deportation. They fought to stay in Norway, arguing it was best for the family’s children.
“This was a shock,” the now 13-year-old Ibrahim, who grew up in Norway, told state broadcaster NRK this week after learning that they likely can’t return to the Bergen area they consider home. They’ve been living in a refugee camp in Jordan since their deportation in July of last year. “We’re very sad. We hadn’t believed this would happen.”
The family had appealed their deportation order and had support from many Norwegian friends who think Neda and her siblings who were born in Norway should be allowed to stay even though their parents’ application for asylum had been rejected. Instead the court ruled that the immigration appeals board, which could prove the parents lied about their background when they first came to Norway, had acted correctly. Norwegian authorities have also made a point that refugee parents shouldn’t be allowed to use their children as a means of gaining asylum.
Their supporters in Norway are considering an appeal. Meanwhile, the family faces a bill for court costs.
newsinenglish.no staff
